Hawaii Travel Guide – Attractions & Tours

Featured Lists

Hawaii's Absolute Must-Sees

Hawaii’s diverse geography encompasses the volcanic Haleakalā Crater on Maui and the volcanic black sands of Punaluʻu on the Big Island. Historical landmarks include the Byodo-In Temple, a replica of a Kyoto UNESCO site, and the USS Bowfin, a WWII-era submarine at Pearl Harbor. Natural sites range from the 4,000-acre Kualoa Ranch, a filming location for numerous films, to the white sands of Lanikai Beach and the dramatic cliffs of Kauai’s Kalalau Lookout.

12 places

Brocken Inaglory / CC BY-SA 3.0

Hawaii's Best Beaches

This selection of Hawaiian coastal sites features diverse geological formations, from the volcanic black basalt sands of Punalu’u to the limestone-filtered white sands of Lanikai. The list includes Maui’s Ho'okipa Park, a global center for windsurfing due to its consistent trade winds, and Kauai’s Kalalau Beach, reachable only via the Na Pali Coast’s 11-mile wilderness trail. These destinations represent varied marine environments, including protected coves on Oahu’s North Shore and the deep-sand, crescent-shaped beaches of South Maui.

9 places

Ekrem Canli / CC BY-SA 4.0

Hawaiian Waterfalls

This collection features prominent waterfalls across the islands of Kauai and Maui. On Kauai, highlights include the 80-foot twin drops of Wailua Falls and the remote 300-foot Hanakapi'ai Falls along the Na Pali Coast. Maui’s contributions are centered along the Road to Hana, featuring accessible roadside stops like the three parallel plumes of Upper Waikani Falls and the tiered pools of Twin Falls. The list also includes Manawaiopuna Falls, famously featured in the film Jurassic Park, and several cascades within the lush Wailua River State Park.

9 places

Michael from Minnesota / CC BY-SA 2.0

Viewpoints and Peaks

This collection features prominent vantage points across the Hawaiian Islands, from the 4,000-foot cliffs of Kauai’s Kalalau Lookout to the historic Kalaupapa overlook on Molokai. The list includes high-altitude peaks like Ni'ani'au, geological formations on the remote island of Nihoa, and coastal vistas near Ka Lae, the southernmost point of the United States. These sites offer specific perspectives on Hawaii’s volcanic topography, ranging from lush valleys to arid high-altitude plateaus.

10 places

Leijurv / CC BY-SA 4.0

Astronomy Observatories

Situated near the 4,207-meter summit of Mauna Kea, these world-class facilities represent a global hub for space exploration. The collection includes the twin 10-meter Keck telescopes, the 8.2-meter Subaru Telescope, and specialized instruments like the James Clerk Maxwell submillimeter radio telescope. These sites benefit from Hawaii’s high altitude and stable atmosphere, allowing researchers to study everything from distant galaxies to near-earth asteroids. While most summit facilities are restricted to research personnel, the area remains a critical site for groundbreaking discoveries in infrared, submillimeter, and optical astronomy.

12 places

Kaleismith / CC BY-SA 3.0

Historic Sites and Heritage

This collection of historic sites across the Hawaiian Islands features maritime landmarks, industrial heritage, and ancient ruins. It includes the Makapuʻu Point Light, home to the largest lens in the United States, and the iconic Aloha Tower. The list also highlights 19th-century industry at the R.W. Meyer Sugar Mill and civil engineering at the Puʻuʻōpae Bridge, alongside significant archaeological sites like the Mauna Kea Adz Quarry and the Heiau Hoʻouluia temple ruins.

7 places

Hawaii — Map

Climate & when to visit

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Great

24° (feels like 22°) · extremes 19°–25°
21° at night
11 rainy days
17 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Light breeze
24°C · warm for swimming
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in February

Great

23° (feels like 21°) · extremes 18°–25°
21° at night
11 rainy days
16 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Light breeze
24°C · warm for swimming
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in March

Good

24° (feels like 22°) · extremes 19°–26°
21° at night
13 rainy days
17 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Light breeze
24°C · cool for a dip
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in April

Great

24° (feels like 22°) · extremes 20°–26°
21° at night
11 rainy days
17 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Light breeze
24°C · warm for swimming
UV index 10 · very high

Typical weather in May

Great

25° (feels like 24°) · extremes 21°–27°
22° at night
10 rainy days
22 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Light breeze
25°C · warm for swimming
UV index 10 · very high

Typical weather in June

Great

26° (feels like 24°) · extremes 22°–27°
23° at night
9 rainy days
24 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Light breeze
25°C · warm for swimming
UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in July

Great

27° (feels like 25°) · extremes 22°–28°
23° at night
9 rainy days
24 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Light breeze
26°C · warm for swimming
UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in August

Great

27° (feels like 26°) · extremes 23°–28°
24° at night
8 rainy days
25 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Light breeze
26°C · warm for swimming
UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in September

Great

27° (feels like 26°) · extremes 23°–28°
24° at night
10 rainy days
24 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Light breeze
27°C · warm for swimming
UV index 10 · very high

Typical weather in October

Great

27° (feels like 26°) · extremes 22°–28°
24° at night
12 rainy days
20 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Light breeze
26°C · warm for swimming
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in November

Good

25° (feels like 24°) · extremes 21°–27°
23° at night
13 rainy days
16 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Light breeze
26°C · warm for swimming
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in December

Good

24° (feels like 23°) · extremes 20°–26°
22° at night
13 rainy days
15 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Light breeze
25°C · warm for swimming
UV index 6 · high

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2); NASA POWER + Copernicus ERA5-Land and ERA5 · 1996–2025

Practical information

Currency: US Dollar USD $ · Card payments · Widely accepted
Emergency numbers: 911 Police · Ambulance · Fire brigade
Electricity: Type A / Type B
120 V · 60 Hz

Languages: English
Tap water: Safe to drink
Driving side: Right
Calling code: +1

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Hawaii

Featured Lists

Hawaii's Absolute Must-Sees

Hawaii's Best Beaches

Hawaiian Waterfalls

Viewpoints and Peaks

Astronomy Observatories

Historic Sites and Heritage

Hawaii — Map

Climate & when to visit

Typical weather in January

Typical weather in February

Typical weather in March

Typical weather in April

Typical weather in May

Typical weather in June

Typical weather in July

Typical weather in August

Typical weather in September

Typical weather in October

Typical weather in November

Typical weather in December

Practical information

Tours & Activities

Hawaii – Add to Your Trip

Related destinations

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